European Parliament adopts controversial copyright reforms

European Parliament today adopted controversial copyright reforms championed by news publishers and the media business. However, tech giants including google have opposed it.

After intense debate by Members of European Parliament, MEPs meeting in Strasbourg, passed the draft law with 348 votes in favour, 274 against, and 36 abstentions.

The reform was loudly backed by media companies and artists, who want to obtain a better return from web platforms that allow users to distribute their



content.

But it was strongly opposed by Silicon Valley, and especially Google that makes huge profits from the advertising generated on content it hosts. It was criticised also by supporters of a free internet who fear it will result in unprecedented restrictions to web freedom.

Under the reform, European law for the first time would hold platforms legally responsible for enforcing copyright, requiring them to check everything that their users post to prevent infringement.